ASTM E1740-00

Standard Test Method for Determining the Heat Release Rate and Other Fire-Test-Response Characteristics of Wallcovering Composites Using a Cone Calorimeter

SCOPE
1.1 This fire-test-response test method covers determination of the ignitability and heat release rate of composites consisting of a wallcovering, a substrate, and all laminating adhesives, coatings, and finishes. Heat release information cannot be used alone to evaluate the flammability of wallcoverings. The data are intended to be used for modeling or with other data to evaluate a material.
1.2 This test method provides for measurement of the time to sustained flaming, heat release rate, peak and total heat release, and effective heat of combustion at a constant radiant heat flux of 35 kW/m 2. Heat release data at different heating fluxes are also obtained by this test method. The specimen is oriented horizontally, and a spark ignition source is used.
1.3 The fire-test-response characteristics are determined using the apparatus and procedures described in Test Method E 1354.
1.4 The tests are conducted on bench-scale specimens combining the components used in the actual installation.
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard; see Practice E 380.
1.6 Fire testing of products and materials is inherently hazardous, and adequate safeguards for personnel and property shall be used in conducting these tests. This test method potentially involves hazardous materials, operations, and equipment.
1.7 This standard is used to measure and describe the response of materials, products, or assemblies to heat and flame under controlled conditions, but does not by itself incorporate all factors required for fire hazard or fire risk assessment of the materials, products, or assemblies under actual fire conditions.
1.8 Fire testing of products and materials is inherently hazardous, and adequate safeguards for personnel and property shall be employed in conducting these tests. This test method may involve hazardous materials, operations, and equipment. Specific information about hazard is given in Section .
1.9 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 09-Nov-2001
• ICS: 13.220.50 - Fire-resistance of building materials and elements
• Technical Committee: E05 - Fire Standards
• Drafting Committee: E05.21 - Smoke and Combustion Products

Relations

• Referred By: ASTM E2061-23 - Standard Guide for Fire Hazard Assessment of Rail Transportation Vehicles
• Effective Date: 10-Nov-2001
• Referred By: ASTM E2067-22 - Standard Practice for Full-Scale Oxygen Consumption Calorimetry Fire Tests
• Effective Date: 10-Nov-2001
• Referred By: ASTM E176-21ae1 - Standard Terminology of Fire Standards
• Effective Date: 10-Nov-2001
• Referred By: ASTM E2707-22 - Standard Test Method for Determining Fire Penetration of Exterior Wall Assemblies Using a Direct Flame Impingement Exposure
• Effective Date: 10-Nov-2001
• Referred By: ASTM F2116-01(2015) - Standard Specification for Low Stretch and Static Kernmantle Life Safety Rope (Withdrawn 2024)
• Effective Date: 10-Nov-2001
• Referred By: ASTM E2102-21 - Standard Test Method for Measurement of Mass Loss and Ignitability for Screening Purposes Using a Conical Radiant Heater
• Effective Date: 10-Nov-2001
• Referred By: ASTM E2280-21 - Standard Guide for Fire Hazard Assessment of the Effect of Upholstered Seating Furniture Within Patient Rooms of Health Care Facilities
• Effective Date: 10-Nov-2001

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
Designation: E 1740 – 00 An American National Standard
Standard Test Method for
Determining the Heat Release Rate and Other
Fire-Test-Response Characteristics of Wallcovering
Composites Using a Cone Calorimeter
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E 1740; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
INTRODUCTION
This test method provides a means for measuring the fire-test-response characteristics of
wallcoverings and wallcovering composites using a bench-scale oxygen consumption calorimeter.
1. Scope 1.8 Fire testing of products and materials is inherently
hazardous, and adequate safeguards for personnel and prop-
1.1 This fire-test-response test method covers determination
erty shall be employed in conducting these tests. This test
of the ignitability and heat release rate of composites consisting
method may involve hazardous materials, operations, and
of a wallcovering, a substrate, and all laminating adhesives,
equipment. Specific information about hazard is given in
coatings, and finishes. Heat release information cannot be used
Section 6.
alone to evaluate the flammability of wallcoverings. The data
1.9 This standard does not purport to address all of the
are intended to be used for modeling or with other data to
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
evaluate a material.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
1.2 This test method provides for measurement of the time
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
to sustained flaming, heat release rate, peak and total heat
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
release, and effective heat of combustion at a constant radiant
heat flux of 35 kW/m . Heat release data at different heating
2. Referenced Documents
fluxes are also obtained by this test method. The specimen is
2.1 ASTM Standards:
oriented horizontally, and a spark ignition source is used.
C 1186 Specification for Flat Non-Asbestos Fiber-Cement
1.3 The fire-test-response characteristics are determined
Sheets
using the apparatus and procedures described in Test Method
D 123 Terminology Relating to Textiles
E 1354.
E 84 Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of
1.4 The tests are conducted on bench-scale specimens
Building Materials
combining the components used in the actual installation.
E 176 Terminology of Fire Standards
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
E 380 Practice for Use of the International System of Units
standard; see Practice E 380.
(SI) (the Modernized Metric System)
1.6 Fire testing of products and materials is inherently
E 1354 Test Method for Heat and Visible Smoke Release
hazardous, and adequate safeguards for personnel and property
Rates for Materials and Products Using an Oxygen Con-
shall be used in conducting these tests. This test method
sumption Calorimeter
potentially involves hazardous materials, operations, and
E 1474 Test Method for Determining the Heat Release Rate
equipment.
of Upholstered Furniture and Mattress Components or
1.7 This standard is used to measure and describe the
Composites Using a Bench Scale Oxygen Consumption
response of materials, products, or assemblies to heat and
Calorimeter
flame under controlled conditions, but does not by itself
2.2 NFPA Standard:
incorporate all factors required for fire hazard or fire risk
NFPA 265 Standard Methods of Fire Tests for Evaluating
assessment of the materials, products, or assemblies under
Room Fire Growth Contribution of Textile Wall Covering
actual fire conditions.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.05.
1 3
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E05 on Fire Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 07.01.
Standards and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E05.15 on Furnishings Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.07.
and Contents. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 14.02.
Current edition approved Aug. 10, 2000. Published October 2000. Originally Available from National Fire Protection Association, 1 Batterymarch Park,
published as E 1740 – 95. Last previous edition E 1740 – 95. Quincy, MA 02269-9101.
Copyright © ASTM, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
E 1740
2.3 ISO Standards: tion and flow rate in the combustion product stream, in
ISO 3261 Fire Tests—Vocabulary accordance with Test Method E 1354.
ISO 4880 Burning Behaviour of Textiles and Textile 4.3 The primary measurements are oxygen concentration
Products—Vocabulary and exhaust gas flow rate. Additional measurements include
ISO 5660 Fire Tests—Reaction to Fire—Part 1: Rate of the mass loss rate of the specimen, time to sustained flaming
Heat Release from Building Products (Cone Calorimeter (or time to ignition), and effective heat of combustion. Ignit-
Method) ability is determined by measuring the time period from initial
exposure to attainment of sustained flaming of the specimen.
3. Terminology
5. Significance and Use
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this test
5.1 This test method is used to determine the time to
method and associated with fire issues, refer to Terminology
sustained flaming and heat release of materials and composites
E 176 and ISO 3261. The definitions given in Terminology
exposed to a prescribed heat flux in the cone calorimeter
E 176 shall prevail in case of conflict. For definitions of terms
apparatus.
used in this test method and associated with textile issues, refer
5.2 Quantitative heat release measurements provide infor-
to Terminology D 123 and ISO 4880. The definitions given in
mation that can be used to compare wallcoverings and con-
Terminology D 123 shall prevail in case of conflict.
structions and for input to fire models.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
5.3 Heat release measurements provide useful information
3.2.1 effective heat of combustion—the total measured heat
for product development by giving a quantitative measure of
released divided by the mass loss for a specified time period.
specific changes in fire performance caused by component and
3.2.2 heat release rate—the heat evolved from the speci-
composite modifications.
men, expressed per unit area of exposed specimen area per unit
5.4 Heat release data obtained by this test method will be
of time.
inappropriate if the product will not spread flame over its
3.2.3 heating flux—the prescribed incident flux imposed
surface under the fire exposure conditions of interest.
externally from the heater onto the specimen at the initiation of
5.5 Variations in substrates, mounting methods, and adhe-
the test.
sives used to laminate composite products will potentially
3.2.4 ignitability—the propensity for ignition, as measured
affect the test responses. These variables must be controlled
by the time to sustained flaming at a specified heating flux.
during any comparative experiments.
3.2.5 net heat of combustion—the oxygen bomb calorimeter
5.6 Test Limitations—The test data are invalid if any of the
value for the heat of combustion, corrected for the gaseous
following occur:
state of product water.
5.6.1 Explosive spalling,
3.2.6 orientation—the plane in which the exposed face of
5.6.2 The specimen swells sufficiently prior to ignition to
the specimen is located during testing, which is horizontal
touch the spark plug or swells up to the plane of the heater base
facing up for this test.
during combustion, or
3.2.7 oxygen consumption principle—the expression of the
5.6.3 The surface laminate rolls or curls when placed under
relationship between the mass of oxygen consumed during
the radiant heater.
combustion and the heat released.
5.7 The specimens are subjected to one or more specific sets
3.2.8 sustained flaming—the existence of flame on or over
of laboratory conditions in this procedure. If different test
the surface of the specimen for periods of4sor more.
conditions are substituted or the end-use conditions are
3.2.9 wallcovering—a fabric, vinyl, or paper-based product
changed, it is not always possible by or from this test to predict
designed to be attached to a vertical wall surface for decorative
changes in the fire-test-response characteristics measured. The
or acoustical purposes.
results are therefore valid only for the fire test exposure
3.2.10 wallcovering composite—an assembly of a wallcov-
conditions described in this procedure.
ering, adhesive (if used), and substrate used as a vertical wall
treatment for decorative or acoustical purposes.
6. Hazards
4. Summary of Test Method
6.1 The test procedures involve high temperatures and heat
fluxes. Hazards therefore exist for burns, ignition of extraneous
4.1 This test method is based on the observation that,
objects or clothing, and inhalation of combustion products. The
generally, the net heat of combustion is directly related to the
operator must use protective gloves for insertion and removal
amount of oxygen required for combustion. Approximately
of the test specimens. Do not touch the cone heater or the
13.1 3 10 kJ of heat are released per 1 kg of oxygen
associated fixtures while hot, except with the use of protective
consumed. Specimens in the test are burned in ambient air
gloves.
conditions while subjected to a prescribed external heating flux
of 35 kW/m .
7. Test Specimens
4.2 The heat release is determined by measurement of the
7.1 Size and Preparation:
oxygen consumption, as determined by the oxygen concentra-
7.1.1 All elements of the test specimen shall represent the
actual materials used in the final installation. Include the
wallcovering, adhesive used for the lamination, and actual
Available from International Standardization Organization, P.O. Box 56,
CH-1211, Geneva 20, Switzerland. substrate. Wallcoverings that are laminated in the field shall be
E 1740
bonded to the actual substrate or to fiber-reinforced cement the sparker/heater assembly to prevent contact with the speci-
board (Specification C 1186) if a non-combustible substrate is men.
anticipated. Use the adhesive recommended by the manufac- 8.2 Procedure:
turer. Test wallcovering composites as manufactured for use. 8.2.1 Prepare the data collection system for testing in
7.1.2 The test specimens shall be cut to an overall size of accordance with the operating procedures for the system. The
100 by 100 mm and tested in the actual thickness, if a heat release curve of some wallcoverings is a narrow peak.
composite. The maximum thickness to be tested is 50 mm. If Increase the data collection rate to one reading/s for testing
substrates exceed this maximum, the back surface shall be wallcoverings.
made thinner to reduce the overall thickness of the specimen to 8.2.2 Assemble the specimen with the edge frame and grid
50 mm. in the appropriate holder. The assembly must initially be at
7.2 Specimens shall be cured according to the manufactur- room temperature. A surface area correction must be applied to
er’s instructions and conditioned at an ambient temperature of compensate for the reduction in surface area caused by the
23 6 3°C and relative humidity of 50 6 5 % for a minimum of edge frame and grid.
48 h. 8.2.3 Energize the sparker, and move it into place rapidly
7.3 Specimen Holder and Mounting: after the specimen is inserted. The sparker is to remain in place
7.3.1 The specimen holder consists of the bottom, edge until sustained flaming occurs. If flaming ceases less than 60 s
frame, retaining pins, and wire grid. The bottom is constructed after removal of the sparker, reinsert the sparker and maintain
from 2-mm nominal stainless steel and has outside dimensions it in place until the end of the test.
of 106 by 106 6 2mmby24 6 2 mm height. The grid is 8.2.4 Start the timer at the beginning of the test. After
constructed from 2-mm nominal stainless steel rod and has flaming is first observed, continue the observation for an
dimensions of 100 6 2by100 6 2 mm. The grid has 2-mm additional 4 s. Record the time at that point, and move the
ribs, and the openings in the center are 18 6 1by18 6 1 mm. spark igniter out of the flame. Determine the time to sustained
The edge frame is constructed from 1.9-mm nominal stainless flaming (or time to ignition). Note that the time to ignition is
steel with outside dimensions of 111 6 2by111 6 2by54 6 the time for sustained flaming to start; therefore, if the timer is
2-mm height. The frame has an 8-mm lip on the top to provide stopped at the end of the 4 s observation period, the time to be
an opening of 94 by 94 mm on the top. There are two 3 6 reported is that value minus 4 s.
0.5-mm diameter by 130 6 3-mm long retaining pins to lock
NOTE 1—If sustained flaming is not observed, report as “no ignition
the test specimen in the edge frame.
was observed” or “no sustained flaming was observed” and not as “time
7.3.2 The bottom is lined with a layer of a low-density
to ignition equals zero.”
(nominal density 65 kg/m ) refractory fiber blanket with a
8.2.5 Collect data from the start of the test until either of the
thickness of at least 13 mm. If necessary, fill the edge frame
following occurs: (1) flaming or other signs of combustion
below the test specimens with a refractory blanket to the level
cease or (2) 20 min have elapsed. The test need not be
of the retaining pins. Lock the assembly with retaining pins,
terminated at 20 min if the specimen continues to burn. Move
and place it on the bottom specimen holder. The distance
the sparker out of the flame.
between the bottom of the radiant heater and the top of the edge
8.2.6 Record time-dependent measurements (mass loss, to-
frame is adjusted to 25 6 1 mm by using a sliding height
tal heat release, and average heat of combustion) at 20 min or
adjustment.
at the end of the test.
8.2.7 Observe and record physical changes to the specimen,
8. Procedure
such as melting, swelling, cracking, or shrinking. Record the
8.1 Preparation:
final mass of the test specimen. Remove and discard the
8.1.1 Calibrate the test apparatus as directed in Test Method
specimen if it does not ignite within 10 min.
E 1354.
8.2.8 Remove the specimen holder.
8.1.2 Position the cone heater for a horizontal specimen
8.2.9 Replace with an empty specimen holder or insulated
orientation, and set the radiant heating flux level to the required
pad to prevent thermal damage to the load cell.
value of 35 6 1 kW/m .
8.2.10 Test a minimum of three specimens of each material
8.1.3 Verify that the distance between the bottom of the
or product.
cone heater baseplate and the top of the sp
...